Chery has made a splash since re-launching in Australia last year.
Since returning in 2023, the Chinese automotive giant has expanded its local offering from one to three models, with a fourth to launch by the end of the year.
The challenger brand has targeted high-volume SUV segments with its range of cheap and cheerful machines, led by the Omoda 5.
However, an electric vehicle (EV) has been missing from the mix… until now.
Say hello to the Omoda E5, Chery’s response to affordable EVs such as the MG 4 and BYD Atto 3.
Those nameplates are well established, but there’s still plenty of room for budget-friendly electric SUVs, and the Omoda E5 compares favourably to its nearest rivals. At least on paper.
The E5 is priced under $50,000, and comes with 430km of claimed range. The power and torque figures stack up, as do the interior features. It’s got a long warranty too – so, has Chery given us the new king of value EVs?
How much does the Chery Omoda E5 cost?
Two Omoda E5 grades will be offered at launch.
| Model | Price before on-road costs |
|---|---|
| 2025 Chery Omoda E5 BX | $42,990 |
| 2025 Chery Omoda E5 EX | $45,990 |
To see how the Chery Omoda 5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool.
What is the Chery Omoda E5 like on the inside?
The cabin of the Omoda E5 offers a nice middle ground between the bare-bones MG 4 and over-the-top Atto 3.
Premium? Perhaps not, but the simple cabin layout and inoffensive materials are straight out of the European playbook. At least for the top-spec EX, which leads to my first gripe.
While Chery has done an excellent job of making the Omoda E5 feel more expensive than it is, someone in the design department thought that the brand could get away with giving the base model a plastic steering wheel.
It’s a cheap finish for a high-traffic area and a cost-cutting decision that detracts significantly from the ambience of the space. Thankfully, the EX gains a heated leatherette steering wheel. Fit-and-finish also disappointed, with some creaks and rattles presenting in our test cars.
However, care has been shown in other areas. For example, the door cards and upper dash are covered in soft-touch materials, while plastic trim pieces on the front of the dash and centre tunnel do a top impression of polished stone. Very classy, and definitely more premium than the plastic-centric MG 4.
The base BX is equipped with dual-texture cloth seats, stepping up to faux leather in the EX.
Regardless of the material, the seats are on the firm side with a decent amount of side bolstering. Drivers on the taller side best watch their head, as the low roofline of the E5 will challenge occupants topping six-four in both the first and second row.
From a comfort perspective, the EX is a worthy upgrade, with its heated, power-adjustable front pews. The former is great for winter mornings, although you have to delve into the infotainment menus to switch it on. A physical button has never seemed so convenient.
In fact, the interior of the E5 revolves around said screen. At 12.3 inches, the infotainment display is both large and impressive to behold with high resolution graphics.
Combined with the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster behind the wheel, it’s a one-two technology punch that gives this electric Chery bundles of showroom appeal. But is there any substance behind the style? Well, it’s a mixed bag.
The centre screen is laid out like a smartphone with swipe functionality, which is a tick for usability. It features a responsive and detailed native satellite navigate system too, which will suit buyers who prefer to disconnect from their phones while driving.
On the topic of phones, four charging options are available up front – a 50W wireless charging pad, two USB ports (USB-A and USB-C), and a 12V outlet.
All variants of the Omoda E5 are compatible with wireless smartphone mirroring. Throughout our test, Apple CarPlay worked seamlessly without connection issues or dropouts.
With that said, navigating between CarPlay and the infotainment menus was problematic, as there’s no ‘home’ shortcut within the CarPlay display, nor any climate control shortcuts.
You can, however, swipe up and down between CarPlay and settings menus. It’s no perfect solution though, as the screen isn’t always responsive to touch inputs.
Similar frustrations apply to the steering wheel controls.
Disguised as haptics, the button controls are actually physical, but without well-defined borders each button is fiddly, requiring a precise, firm press. You can’t avoid using them either, as they house vital functions including the audio controls and cruise control settings.
The only ‘old-school’ buttons to be found in the Omoda E5 are located on the central tunnel, allocated to climate controls and drive modes.
There are plenty of storage solutions throughout the cabin, including a large tray under the centre stack, glovebox, deep armrest bin, and skinny door bins. Nowhere to put your sunglasses, though.
Moving back to the second row, there’s enough room for a few of your nearest and dearest. Tall adults will be pressed for space, but three kids will fit just fine. The front seat backs are soft, so it doesn’t hurt to rest your legs against them.
Both outboard seats have ISOFIX points, and all three rear seats are fitted with top-tether anchorages accessible through the boot.
The middle seat isn’t a major booby prize, given the E5 has a flat floor, although all three rear seats are firm and lack thigh support. I have my doubts over the second-row comfort of this wannabe-premium Chery on a long roadtrip.
Amenities consist of a pair of USB ports, a centre armrest with fixed cupholders, map pockets, narrow door bins, and a single centre air vent.
Upgrading to the EX brings heating for the outboard seats, which allays some of my comfort concerns. The EX also features a sunroof up front, which brightens the entire cabin. That’s not to say that the BX is claustrophobic, as the headliner is light in colour.
While passenger space is comparable with other cars in this segment, the Chery can’t compete on boot capacity.
The Omoda E5 has 300L of boot space, expanding to 1079L with the rear seats folded flat. That’s less than the MG 4 and Atto 3, although the Omoda E5 is the only model to offer a full-sized spare wheel. Hidden under the bonnet is a 19L ‘frunk’.
Beside a 12V outlet, there’s nothing overly special about the boot of the Omoda E5 either. BX models come with a manual tailgate, while the EX gains power assistance.
| Dimensions | Chery Omoda E5 |
|---|---|
| Length | 4424mm |
| Width | 1830mm |
| Height | 1588mm |
| Wheelbase | 2610mm |
| Boot space | 300L-1079L 19L ‘frunk’ |
To see how the Chery Omoda 5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool.
What’s under the bonnet?
All versions of the Omoda E5 feature a single, front-mounted electric motor producing 150kW of power and 340Nm of torque.
It offers 430km of range on the WLTP cycle, courtesy of a 61.1kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery that can be charged at up to 80kW using a DC fast charger.
| Specifications | Chery Omoda E5 |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain | Single-motor electric |
| Battery | 61.1kWh LFP |
| Power | 150kW |
| Torque | 340Nm |
| Driven wheels | Front-wheel drive |
| Weight | 1776kg (kerb) |
| 0-100km/h (claimed) | 7.6 seconds |
| Power consumption (claimed) | 15.5kWh/100km (WLTP) |
| Power consumption (as tested) | 17.0kWh/100km |
| Claimed range | 430km (WLTP) |
| Max AC charge rate | 6.6kWh (single phase) 9.9kWh (three phase) |
| Max DC charge rate | 80kW |
To see how the Chery Omoda 5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool.
How does the Chery Omoda E5 drive?
On appearances alone the Chery Omoda E5 is a very refined and well-resolved vehicle, but that doesn’t completely translate to the driving experience.
The Omoda E5 is powered by a single, front-mounted electric motor producing 150kW and 340Nm. It’s a seemingly standard setup for a small electric SUV, but for some reason the Chery doesn’t put down its power as well as expected.
Enthusiastic throttle inputs at a set of traffic lights are met with wheel spin, and torque steer was a by-product of rolling acceleration.
It’s a bit unsettling to experience as a driver, especially considering the Omoda E5 rides on Kumho PS71 EV tyres, hardly a no-name brand.
Don’t go calling me a hoon, as there was no incentive for me to drive this car in anger.
Putting aside its sketchiness on throttle, there’s a bit to like about how the electric SUV behaves in urban settings. The pedals respond in a linear fashion, and it rides comfortably with soft, floaty suspension.
Parking isn’t a chore, despite a lack of visibility through the small rear window. The Omoda E5 has all the sensors and cameras you could ever want or need, including a surround-view camera for the EX flagship.
Light steering makes it easy to manoeuvre, not that the car feels large or cumbersome to begin with.
The cabin itself is relatively well insulated, and the sleek exterior styling lends itself to suppression of wind noise at highway speeds. As such, the Chery will cruise quietly at high speeds, aside from some unwelcome tyre roar.
The improved advanced driver assist systems (ADAS) impress at lower speeds. Integrated Cruise Assist works smoothly on the freeway, maintaining a consistent speed while gently steering the car within the lane markings.
ADAS settings can be configured through the infotainment display, but even in their most sensitive settings the features aren’t unbearable like some new cars. If set up correctly, the driver assists in the Omoda E5 offer a helping hand rather than tough love.
Despite this on uneven, twisty country roads the ADAS systems are far less effective. Even if the road is clearly marked, integrated cruise causes the Omoda E5 to veer and swerve over lines, so it can’t be trusted to keep you safe and comfortable in these situations.
Poorly maintained tarmac also reveals the need for local suspension tuning, as our test cars were crashy over potholes that other SUVs would absorb without much discomfort.
One feature that could do with some work is the regenerative braking. In its strongest setting the EV becomes jerky and unpredictable for passengers, so it’s best to leave the car in its low regen mode which is progressive and more appropriate for coasting.
The Omoda E5 works best as a city car, especially given its compromised battery setup. The 61.1kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery can only be charged at a maximum of 80kW (DC charging), so topping up from 10-80 per cent takes somewhere in the vicinity of 45 minutes, which is slow by modern standards.
Our efficiency data fell just short of the WLTP claim, although both figures are on par with other similar vehicles.
The charging port is located in the front grille, a unique choice that has some practical benefits, although the door is difficult to close compared to a standard fuel cap.
What do you get?
There are two trim levels of the Omoda E5 available in Australia.
Omoda E5 BX highlights:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- 18 advanced driver aids
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Satellite navigation
- 3 x drive modes
- Intelligent voice assistant
- 6-speaker Sony sound system
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- DAB+ digital radio
- Wireless phone charger
- LED exterior lighting
- Automatic high-beam
- Fabric seats with synthetic leather bolsters
- Full-sized spare wheel
Omoda E5 EX adds:
- Power tailgate
- 8-speaker Sony sound system
- Puddle lamps
- Ambient interior lighting
- Black synthetic leather seats
- Heated front and rear (outboard) seats
- Synthetic leather steering wheel with heating
- Power sunroof
Is the Chery Omoda E5 safe?
The Chery Omoda E5 is yet to receive a safety rating from ANCAP or its European counterpart Euro NCAP.
However, Chery Australia chief operating officer Lucas Harris recently told Australian media that “this car doesn’t yet have an ANCAP rating, but that’s right around the corner.”
“It’s reasonable to assume the rating will continue our current trend with the cars that we’ve launched so far,” he said.
Standard safety equipment includes:
- 7 airbags
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Emergency lane keeping
- Lane departure warning
- Lane keep assist
- Adaptive cruise control
- Traffic jam assist
- Integrated cruise assist
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic assist
- Rear collision warning
- Traffic sign recognition
- Driver monitoring system
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Reversing camera
EX adds:
- Surround-view camera
How much does the Chery Omoda E5 cost to run?
The Omoda E5 is backed by Chery’s seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, in line with the rest of the range.
Servicing for the first seven years is capped at $130, $280, $130, $280, $130, $511, and $125.
| Running costs | 2025 Chery Omoda E5 |
|---|---|
| Warranty | 7 years, unlimited kilometres |
| Battery warranty | 8 years |
| Roadside assistance | Up to 7 years (service activated) |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 20,000km |
| Capped-price servicing | 7 years |
| Total capped price service cost | $1586 |
To see how the Chery Omoda 5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool.
CarExpert’s Take on the Chery Omoda E5
The Chery Omoda E5 is a welcome addition to the affordable electric SUV category, with a unique personality that sets it apart from the competition.
It may not offer the fun, rear-wheel drive dynamics of the smaller MG 4 or the quirkiness of the Atto 3, but it’s more grown up than both of those vehicles with a well-appointed interior and impressive tech.
For all its virtues, BYD alienates some potential buyers through polarising design. By comparison the Omoda E5 is restrained, and palatable.
The MG 4 is sporty and affordable, but the cabin is straight up spartan compared to even a base E5.
The Chery isn’t necessarily better than its rivals, rather it adds value by being different.
After all, it’s far from perfect. When the road gets bumpy or twisty, the Omoda E5 isn’t great to drive. It takes a while to charge too, and lacks the boot space to be a properly practical family car.
However, the cabin is both plush and practical, and as a city car the Chery doesn’t put a foot wrong.
The price is right, and Chery’s growth in Australia suggests it’s a brand you can buy into with confidence.
Of the two variants, it’s definitely worth stepping up to the EX. For one, you get rid of the tacky plastic steering wheel featured in the base car, and the additional upgrades really dial up the premium feel.
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